Red Angus. Crossbreeding Solutions

Transcription

1 Red Angus Crossbreeding Solutions Many commercial cow/calf operators enhance the profitability of their operations through thoughtful application of heterosis and breed complementarity made available through crossbreeding. Since 1960, the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) has promoted planned crossbreeding systems as a tool for sustainable and profitable commercial beef production. Red Angus balance of economically relevant traits makes it a flexible, userfriendly component of any crossbreeding plan. Today, Red Angus breeders fulfill this commitment by offering the beef industry's best objectively described seedstock and marketing programs designed to add value to their customers' calves. This profit boosting combination has earned Red Angus the reputation as The Common Denominator in crossbreeding programs all across the country!

2 Crossbreeding Basics Genetic Change = Heritability x Selection Pressure Heritability is the proportion of an animal s genetic merit that is - on average - transmitted to their offspring. Heritability varies for different traits, (see Table 1 opposite page). Reproductive traits tend to have low heritabilities, while growth traits are moderate and carcass characteristics typically have higher heritabilities. In practice, most selection pressure involves utilizing bulls whose genetic merit (for those traits the producer seeks to improve) is superior to the average of the cows they will breed. In Crossbreeding, genetic variation comes from both the selected variation within a breed and the genetic variation between selected breeds. Breed Complementarity.....occurs from combining the desirable characteristics of two or more breeds to achieve a higher frequency of desired genes among the crossbreds than could be found within a single breed. In other words, the beneficial additive genes of one breed can be used to compensate for the lack thereof in another. Different breeds excel in different traits. British breeds are traditionally categorized as maternal, efficient cattle that produce high quality carcasses, Continental cattle are known for producing lean carcasses with high red meat yield, and Zebu breeds can offer heat tolerance and increased insect resistance. Breed differences exist in traits such as: Growth Rate Carcass Composition Age at Puberty Mature Size Calving Difficulty Milk Production The ideal cow herd and breeding program varies depending on geography, production constraints and market goals. Once you have analyzed these aspects of your operation you can design and implement a breeding program that will help you achieve your production goals.

3 Crossbreeding Basics Heterosis (hybrid vigor) results from nonadditive gene effects. Heterosis is defined as the percent of superiority expressed in a trait by crossbred progeny over the average of the parents breeds in the cross. Heterosis is calculated by the following formula: Crossbred Avg. - Straightbred Avg. Straightbred Avg. x 100 = % Heterosis Example: Two parent breeds have weaning weight averages of 575 and 475 lb respectively. Their expected progeny average would be 525 lb. Yet, their crossbred progeny averaged 550 lb. The percent of heterosis would be determined as follows: x 100 = 4.8% Heterosis and Heritability The degree of heterosis varies between traits, and follows a general rule that it tends to be inversely proportional to that trait s heritability. In moderate to highly heritable traits, such as carcass composition, the level of heterosis is low, while traits of low heritability such as calving rate and weaning rate have higher levels of heterosis. Table 1 shows that heterosis obtained through crossbreeding is a powerful tool for increasing performance in traits with low heritabilities. This polled and pigmented Red Angus sired calf out of a Hereford cow is an example of individual heterosis. Table 1. Heritability and Heterosis Estimates for Some Economically Important Traits. Trait Heritability a Total heterosis b (%) Calving rate Calf survival to weaning Weaning rate.17 8 Birth weight direct.31 6 Weaning weight direct Milk production.20 9 Post-weaning gain.31 3 Yearling weight.33 4 Mature cow weight.50 1 Feed conversion (TDN/gain).32-2 Dressing %.39 0 Heterosis... Individual vs. Maternal Heterosis Individual heterosis is the increased performance a crossbred calf exhibits relative to its straightbred parents for traits such as growth to weaning, or yearling weight. Maternal heterosis is expressed in the crossbred female s progeny, such as the increased weaning weight of crossbred females calves due to the increased milk production of their crossbred dams. Heterosis has been shown to increase lifetime production 20-25% in Bos taurus x Bos taurus cross cows. This increase results from cumulative benefits of heterosis across numerous cow herd traits to include: fertility, longevity, weaning rate, etc. The table below compares increases in weight of calf weaned per cow exposed that may be expected with individual heterosis vs. both individual and maternal heterosis. Rib eye area.42 2 % cutability/retail product.47 0 Marbling/quality grade.38 2 Tenderness.29 0 a Koots et al. (1994). b Kress and Nelsen (1998). Straightbred Cows & Straightbred Calves Straightbred Cows & Crossbred Calves Crossbred Cows & Crossbred Calves

4 Crossbreeding Systems Must be designed to fit the operation; herd size, number of pastures, existing cow herd genetics and other managerial constraints will determine the most appropriate crossbreeding system. Rotational Systems The goal of a Rotational crossbreeding system is twofold: 1) Generate females which combine the complementary cow herd traits of parent breeds while building acceptable levels of maternal heterosis into the cow herd. 2) Build reputation feeder cattle that excel in the feedlot and carcass traits that will keep buyers bidding aggressively. Rotational Crossbreeding Tip: use breeds that are similar in birthweight, mature size and milk production to avoid large swings in biological type and input costs. Red Angus are especially well suited for Rotational systems due to their balance of cow herd building traits with end product traits. Two-Breed Rotation Cows sired by Breed A (Red Angus) bred to Breed B bull (Hereford, Simmental, etc.). Resulting daughters bred back to Breed A for the rest of their lives. Daughters resulting from this cross are bred back to bull from Breed B. A female is always bred to a bull of a different breed than her sire. (Diagram 1) Sire selection objectives: Choose sires similar for calving ease, maternal traits, and mature size. Must ID sires to daughters. No. of Sires: 2 No. of Pastures: 2 Min. No. of Cows: 50 % Heterosis: 67% Expected increase in lbs of calf per cow exposed = 16% Diagram 1 bulls of Breed A Example: Red Angus bulls Breeding Group1 Breeding Group 2 bulls of Breed B Example: Hereford bulls Three-Breed Rotation Diagram 2 Cows sired by Breed A (Red Angus) bred to Breed B bull. Resulting daughters bred back to Breed C for the rest of their lives. Daughters resulting from this cross are bred back to bull from Breed A. A female is always bred to the sire she is least related to. (Diagram 2) Sire selection objectives: Choose sires similar for calving ease, maternal traits, and mature size. Must ID sires to daughters. No. of Sires: 3 No. of Pastures: 3 Min. No. of Cows: 75 % Heterosis: 86% Expected increase in lbs of calf per cow exposed = 20% bulls of Breed A Example: Red Angus bulls Breeding Group1 Breeding Group 2 Breeding Group 3 bulls of Breed C Example: Simmental bulls bulls of Breed B Example: Hereford bulls

6 Red Angus Crossbreeding Tools Selection Simplified Crossbreeding does not replace the need for high quality purebred cattle. In fact, accurately described seedstock are the foundation of the success in crossbreeding programs. Ranchers utilizing Red Angus in crossbreeding programs enjoy these benefits: Compare EPDs across breeds: Growth (BW, WW, YW, MILK) and carcass (MARB, YG, CW, REA, FAT) EPDs for ALL animals in the Red Angus/Simmental database may be compared directly - thus eliminating the need for complicated "cowboy math adjustments" when selecting bulls of varying breed makeups. Increased Accuracy: Unmatched Predictive Power is achieved by combining the datasets of Red Angus Association of America, American Simmental Association and Canadian Angus Association to form the world s largest multibreed database. True Muli-Breed EPDs account for heterosis and breed differences, so progeny of varied breed composition can be accurately compared in terms of their genetic merit for any given trait. Powered by THR: Total Herd Reporting (THR) requires that the production of every female in members herds be reported annually, even dead calves and cows that did not breed. Collecting all the data - not just the ones good enough to register - ensures ranchers are provided with the most reliable EPDs to make selection decisions. Focused on Profit: While some breeds focus on calculating as many EPDs as possible, Red Angus concentrates on describing reproduction, growth, feed costs and carcass characteristics using the fewest EPDs possible. By focusing on those traits that impact profitability (ERTs), ranchers can buy better bulls, while sorting through nonessential data.

7 Red Angus Crossbreeding Tools The Best Value in Age/Source Verification... Just became more Crossbreeding Friendly. Red Angus offers Added Value marketing solutions regardless of customers breeding management: Red Angus bulls on British, Continental, Brahman derivative or crossbred cows Red Angus bulls in rotational crossbreeding programs Red Angus bulls in Multi-Sire/Multi-Breed Pastures Red Angus Hybrid or Composite bulls Whether resultant calf crops qualify for the Beef Industry s original USDA Process Verified Program - the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program (FCCP), or the new Allied Access program customers are ensured of USDA Process Verified Age and Source Verification (ASV) as required to access export markets, and FREE promotion of load lots of your calves/yearlings at sale time. Allied Access is designed to identify feeder cattle that combine Red Angus with other breeds to add heterosis and breed complimentarity. Additionally, it provides USDA Process Verified Claims of: Source Verification to Ranch of Origin Group Age Verification And, it comes with the same user-friendly, cost effective experience producers have come to expect from Red Angus Marketing Programs over the last two decades. At ONLY $0.99, with the option of a $3 combo EID/dangle tag, and NO Enrollment Fees - the FCCP and Allied Access put more value in Added Value! Red Angus Marketing Programs deliver solutions to enhance Ranchers success in a competitive market place RED ANGUS ALLIED ACCESS

8 Red Angus... The Common Denominator Red Angus x Terminal Continentals Red Angus crossed with terminal Continental breeds like Charolais and Limousin, produce feeders that can excel in both gain and conversion while reaping premiums for both Yield Grade and Quality Grade. While these Continentals are known to improve Yield Grade through increased leaness and larger ribeye areas; Red Angus complements with improved marbling and fewer days to finish. Red Angus x Maternal Continentals When crossed with maternal Continental breeds such as Simmental and Gelbvieh, Red Angus can improve production efficiency. Through breed complementarity, Red Angus can lower birthweights, moderate mature size, decrease cow maintenance requirements, extend longevity and thus, improve the overall functionality of the replacement females resulting from such crosses. Red Angus x British Breeds The Baldy female is still a favorite for many commercial ranch environments, and the Best Baldys come from combining Red Angus and Hereford. Red Baldy cows are polled, pigmented, easy fleshing, and docile, and they have the added benefit of Red Hides for reduced summer stress. The Red Angus component of baldy steers helps them reach choice grade with fewer days on feed. Red Angus x British crosses is a natural fit for harsh environments where nutritional stress requires females with built in longevity and low maintenance requitements. Red Angus x Brahman Derivatives In regions where heat, humidity and insects require Brahman derivative or heat tolerant Bos taurus breeds, such as Senepol, it only makes sense to add an Angus component that comes with a cooler Red Hide. The replacements resulting from such crosses make adaptable, heat tolerant, easy fleshing brood cows, while their steer mates express improved carcass value due to Red Angus superior marbling genetics. Additionally, higher levels of heterosis may be seen when Red Angus are used on cattle of such divergent origins. Red Angus based Hybrid Bulls In addition to using straightbred Red Angus in crossbreeding programs, a growing demand is being met by Red Angus based hybrid bulls. Through eliminating the need for multiple breed rotations and allowing producers to maintain their desired breed makeup without large swings in biological type, Red Angus based hybrids provide the benefits of heterosis and breed complementarity in a convenient and userfriendly package. Furthermore, Red Angus based hybrid bulls are the ideal choice for producers who desire to inject heterosis back into a high percentage Red Angus cowherd. Ranch Tested. Rancher Trusted. Red Angus (940) RedAngus.org

Crossbreeding Beef Cattle Cooperative Extension Service Kansas State University Manhattan Crossbreeding Beef Cattle Although the benefits of crossbreeding have been known for many years, it has been accepted

Beef Cattle REPRODUCTION AND BREEDING Crossbreeding Systems for Beef Cattle Pete Anderson University of Minnesota Beef Team It has been well documented that crossbreeding improves performance of beef cattle.

Bob Weaber, University of Missouri-Columbia Improvement of the economic position of the farm or ranch is an ongoing process for many commercial cow-calf producers. Profitability may be enhanced by increasing

ANGUS Advantages American Angus Association Page 1 Page 2 American Angus Association The ANGUS Advantage A life in the cattle business is filled with great challenges and great rewards. That holds true

SECTION 5 Planning the Breeding Program Darrh Bullock The quality of cattle produced by the beef industry is determined by the cattle s genetic makeup and the management system to which they are subjected.

Use of Terminal Sires and Maternal Composites in Herds of All Sizes R. Mark Thallman Main Take-Home Message If the genetic potential for growth is the same in commercial cows as it is in the bulls they

Evaluation Of The Charolais As Straightbred And Crossbred For Beef Production In South Central Florida February 1977 - Bulletin 786 Agricultural Experiment Stations Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Beef Cattle Selection Handbook A Basic Guide to Selecting Feeder Cattle, Breeding Heifers, and Bulls Where to Begin What are your goals? What type of animal will help you achieve these goals? Age? Sex?

73 Genetic Selection Tools for Improvement of Growth and Carcass Traits in Beef Cattle Keith Bertrand, University of Georgia, Athens Introduction There are many inputs that need to be considered by beef

Longhorn Cattle and Seed Stock Production Are you a Seed Stock Producer? If you raise registered/pure bred cattle the answer is YES. What does it mean to be a Seed Stock Producer? A Seed stock Producer

MP184 Beef Cattle Production DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE R E S E A R C H & E X T E N S I O N University of Arkansas System University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments

Replacement Heifers Costs and Return on Investment Calculation Decision Aids The purpose of this replacement heifer cost decision aid is to calculate total production costs and return on investment (ROI)

Replacement Heifers Costs and Return Calculation Decision Aids The purpose of these replacement heifer cost decision aids is to calculate total production costs and return on investment (ROI) to evaluate

Breeding Domesticated 10,000 12,000 years ago Major changes have been genetic (to benefit man) Increased production can be achieved through environment but must be repeated daily, seasonally or at least

E-190 3/09 Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle V: Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses A 1700s painting of the foundation cow of one of the first cattle breeds. Courtesy of Michigan State

A Literature Review on Crossbreeding in Dairy Cattle A Senior Project Presented to the Faculty of the Dairy Science Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo In Partial Fulfillment

Canadian Herefords & Genomics Genomics is re-inventing the art of cattle breeding. Traditional selection tools remain absolutely necessary. They are simply augmented and refined by new technologies. Throughout

Woodland Foremost. High selling bull is 2013 sale. ABS Global description: Foremost for Balance. One of the most well rounded bulls you will find from both a phenotype and data standpoint. Sound structured,

Australian Santa Gertrudis Selection Indexes There are currently two different selection indexes calculated for Australian Santa Gertrudis animals. These are: Domestic Production Index Export Production

MODULE 1B PART A: STUDENT FACTSHEET SOURCES OF BEEF THE SUCKLER HERD A substantial part of this work is based on Hybu Cig Cymru (www.hccmpw.org.uk) The following booklets by Hybu Cig Cymru are important:-

Marketing Opportunities for AI Bred Heifers and AI Sired Progeny Scott Brown University of Missouri The U.S. cattle inventory was at 87.7 million head at the beginning of 2014, the lowest inventory for

Economics of Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination Dr. Les Anderson and Paul Deaton University of Kentucky Introduction Few beef producers would disagree that the genetic potential available

EAN-003 11/14 Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle V: Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses A 1700s painting of the foundation cow of an early cattle breed. (Source: Michigan State University

Value of Cross-Breeding and Genetic Improvement for the Producer Brian Sullivan Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement Inc. The Canadian Pork Industry $2.2 billion in pork exports in 2001 $560 million more

Genetic Evaluation of Dairy Cattle in Canada Responsibility The calculation and publication of all dairy cattle genetic evaluations in Canada is the responsibility of Canadian Dairy Network (CDN). An 8-member

Who s Your Daddy? Selective Breeding in Goats This is part of an overview on goat genetics covered during the Goat Genetics and Reproduction Field Day at Cornell University Sept 20, 2003 Dr. tatiana Stanton

Inheritance of Color And The Polled Trait Dr. R. R. Schalles, Dept. of Animal Sciences and Industry Kansas State University Introduction All functions of an animal are controlled by the enzymes (and other

Value Based Marketing of Cattle Dillon M. Feuz University of Nebraska-Lincoln Presentation Overview What is Value based pricing? Provide pricing examples What is being rewarded/discounted? Packer Bid Process

Managing for Today s Cattle Market and Beyond March 2002 The Costs of Raising Replacement Heifers and the Value of a Purchased Versus Raised Replacement By Dillon M. Feuz, University of Nebraska Numerous

Canfax Research Services A Division of the Canadian Cattlemen s Association Publication Sponsored by: A lot happens during the fall run and the decisions made now determine if a cow/calf operation is profitable

The impact of genomic selection on North American dairy cattle breeding organizations Jacques Chesnais, George Wiggans and Filippo Miglior The Semex Alliance, USDA and Canadian Dairy Network 2000 09 Genomic

THE CANADIAN BEEF INDUSTRY THE CANADIAN BEEF ADVANTAGE CANADIAN CATTLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM CANADIAN BEEF PROCESSING SYSTEM THE CANADIAN BEEF ADVANTAGE The Canadian Beef Industry Canada is one of the leading

Managing cattle for the kind of beef you want your kids to eat. A cooperative program by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Beef Council and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Table

e relationship between subcutaneous fat and marbling Literature Review by Robert Maddock Associate Professor and Extension Meats Specialist, Animal Sciences NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY September 2013

Swine EPD Terminology EPD- Expected Progeny Difference is the best estimate or indicator of a sire or dam s genetic potential. It is the actual differences in production a pork producer could expect from

Use of On-Farm Performance Testing to Enhance the Meat Goat Herd Enterprise Dr. Richard Browning, Jr. Department of Agricultural Sciences Tennessee State University What is On-Farm Performance Testing?

INVITATION TO INVEST IN An AUSTRALIAN CATTLE & LAMB ENTERPRISE You can own shares in an Australian livestock farming enterprise Secure access to Australia s premium beef and lamb products for import to

The Whiteface HEREFORDS The Efficiency Experts February 2009 Building the Baldie Commercial cattlemen can find value utilizing crossbreeding and heterosis. by Angie Stump Denton As bull sale and breeding

DAIRYING IN KWAZULU-NATAL Breeds of Dairy Cattle W D Gertenbach Cedara Agricultural Development Institute INTRODUCTION In South Africa, at least six breeds of cattle are recognized as being "dairy breeds".

Investing in genetic technologies to meet future market requirements and assist in delivering profitable sheep and cattle farming B+LNZ GENETICS The Government through its Ministry of Business, Innovation

Industry History Intro to the Beef Industry Industry History and Background Economic Factors U.S. Imports and Exports Beef Price Cycles Beef Production in the U.S. Industry History and Background 1400s

Beef Supply Chain Get Connected! There is a $20-$25/cwt spread in price among sameweight calves, sold at the same time, in the same area. We see this in the market every day. -Randy Blach, CEO, Cattle-Fax